Self-closing match book



Mmch 9 319436 J. M. DEFEEENZO SELF-CLOSING MATCH BOOK Filed May 17, 1940 Patented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATE 3 PAT SELF-CLOSING MATCH BOOK Joseph M. Dirienzo, Madison, Wis. Application May 17, 1940, Serial No. 335,133 1 Claim. (01. 2206-29) This invention relates generally to match books of the type having a match comb and a cover for the matches, and more particularly this invention relates to such match books having self-closing covers.

Although most match books carry a printed ignite and burst into flame. Many persons have been seriously burned in this way.

One object of this invention then is to provide a match book having a cover which may be opened by lifting in the usual manner, and which will close automatically as soonas it is released by the finger of the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a self-closing match book which is simple and rugged in construction and one which will always close automatically.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a self-closing match book which may be manufactured without materially adding to the cost of the article.

Other and further objects of this invention will become readily apparent from the following description of preferred and practical embodiments and from the appended claim. It is to be understood that various changes may be made in the precise embodiments shown without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification and throughout the several figures of which like reference numerals are used to designate like parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of match book incorporationg the concepts of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the match book showing the cover lifted and the matches exposed;

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a match book showing a modified form of this invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a match book showing another modification of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a match book showing still another modification of the invention;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a match book showing a further modification of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a matchbook incorporating a further modified form of the inventionj Figure 9 is a perspective'view of a match book illustrating still another modified form of the invention; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a match bookv showing still another modified form ofjthe invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and first adverting to that form of the invention shown Figures 1, 2, and 3, there is'sh'own a match book i, having a match comb2, and a cover 3.

The cover 3 is preferably of a single sheet of material bent upon itself to form a pocket 4 to 'receive the bottom of the match comb. A staple 5 is passed through thecover'and thecomb 'to fasten themsecurely'together. The short side ofwith an abrasive surface upon which the'matches may be struck. The other side of thepock'e't' continuesnp along the back of the matches and is bent forwardly over the tops of the matches, and

then downwardly to cover the front of the matches. This construction provides aback por tion 7, and a front or 'fiap portion'a. The structure described thus far is that of a conventional match book although this invention is not confined to use on conventional match books, but is adaptable for use on other types of match books which have a folding front or flap.

According to the present invention, the front and back portions of the cover have notches in their longitudinal edges at a point near the hinge line of the cover, the notches being indicated at 9 and i0 respectively. These notches 9 and I may assume various shapes such as round, square, oblong, or the like, and may be made in various sizes. A resilient member I I, such as a thin band of rubber or the like, is passed completely around the front and back portions of the cover and inserted in the notches 9 and Hi to prevent dis placement. The resilient member II is of such size that it is slightly under tension when in place on the match book. As the back portion of the cover is fixed in relation to the match comb, the pull of the band II will yieldingly urge the front portion of the cover against the match comb and so maintain the book closed. It will be noted in Figure 1 of the drawing that the lower edge of the front portion of the cover terminates just short or the upper edge of the abrasive carrying portion 6 of the cover. This insures the Eur OFFICE cover being tightly closed so that no stray sparks can ignite the match comb 2. This particular construction oflers the further advantage of exposing the full area ofthe abrasive surface at all times without the necessityof inserting the cover 8 beneath the abrasive carrying portion 6.

In the use of the match book, the cover will be lifted against the tension of the band II, and a match torn from the match comb 2;" The front portion of the cover 8 will snap shut under the influence of the resilient band ii as soon as the fingers release it. This will eliminate all possibility of striking the match while the book is open.

A slightly modified form of the invention is shown in Figure 4. In this form the resilient band is replaced by short resilient strips l2 at the edges between the front and back portions of the cover. The strips I! areprovided with enlargements I3 at either end to catch in the notches 9 and ll of the cover. It is of course obvious that the strips I! may be fastened to the edges of the cover by various other means such as stapling, gluing, etc. This form functions in exactly the same way as the form shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and requires slightly less material in its manufacture.

In Figure 5, is shown, a match book of conventional structure having a pair of thin wire springs ll. These wire spring's I! replace the short resilient strips I2 shown in Figure 4 and described heretofore and are biased to urge the front portion of the cover to a closed position.

Figure 6 illustrates another type of resilient member comprising a sheet of springy materiel ii attached to a conventional match book. The sheet of springy material 15 is secured to the upper portion of the back of the cover and has extensions I6 projecting from the edges of the sheet IS. The extensions i contiriueforward over the inverted U bend of the cover and down to press inwardly against the front portion of In Figure 8 thin spring strips 2i are secured to the edges of the cover throughout the entire length of the front and back portions. These strips 2! function not only to keep the cover closed, but also to strengthen the cover and prevent its deformation.

Figure 9 illustrates a match book having an elastic strip l1 cemented or otherwise secured to the front and back portions of the cover aloiegol its edges !8 and IS, the remainder of the strip being free. This strip I1 is fastened to the match book while the cover is opened and the strip is stretched. Contraction of the elastic strip draws the cover closed.

In Figure 10, the upper bent portion of the cover has been coated with a solution which when hard becomes resilient. This solution is applied to the match book while the cover is in closed position and allowed to set. This, therefore, becomes the position of repose of the coating, and when the cover is opened the coating will seek its position of repose and close the cover.

Although preferred and practical embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the precise structures shown without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

A self-closing match book comprising: a match comb, a one-piece cover for said match comb, said :over having front and back sections. said back section being folded around the bottom of said match comb to provide an upwardly extending flap carrying abrasive material thereon, the upper portion of said back section being folded around the top of said match comb to provide a shortened cover section which just meets the upwardly extending abrasive carrying flap, and resilient means to urge the front of said cover towards said match comb, all substantially as described.

JOSEPH M. DIRIENZO. 

